ASD emphasised that after years of underinvestment, the European defence industry is at a turning point. It must now rapidly scale up production to enhance Europe’s ability to defend itself and deter military threats.
One of the key recommendations in the White Paper is a move towards more collaborative procurement among European nations. According to ASD, aggregating demand and harmonising requirements would improve efficiency, reduce costs, and shorten production lead times.
The organisation also stressed the importance of prioritising European suppliers for defence contracts. This, it argued, would help reduce external dependencies, strengthen supply chains, and ensure Europe’s strategic autonomy in defence manufacturing.
For the industry to meet increasing demands, ASD called for a long-term approach to defence orders. Clear planning and sustained investment, it said, would enable companies to expand production capabilities and deliver high-tech solutions at speed.
The White Paper also proposes measures to secure access to essential raw materials and components, improve financing options, and boost research and innovation. ASD welcomed these initiatives, as well as efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improve workforce skills.
Another significant proposal is the Defence Omnibus Simplification, aimed at cutting regulatory barriers and streamlining processes. ASD believes such reforms are essential to ensuring the swift and effective implementation of new defence strategies.
With security challenges mounting, ASD urged EU institutions and national governments to act quickly. The association called for the immediate implementation of the White Paper’s recommendations to reinforce Europe’s defence capabilities without delay.
